A New Years Resolution: Remember God's Mercy

Kindergarten 2 - Primary - Coloring Activity - Teen Lesson

2021 Is Gone

I asked my daughter to do a 10-minute object lesson for our class.  She brought last year’s calendar.  She had each day marked with an X which marked that day for her daily devotion.  She shared with our class how she had completed her devotion goals each day all year except for one week in the whole year.  She continued to teach them how important it is to do devotions with God each day.  She was able to teach them that the calendar that they were looking at was now in the past.   She showed each of them their birthdays.  She explained that their birthdays for 2021 were now in the past and now we look forward to a new year.

She said everything she did wrong in 2021 is now in the past.  When we know Jesus as our Saviour, confess our sins to him, then our sins are forgiven and are in the past.  She ripped up the 2021 calendar suddenly.  The class reacted to it.  They had mixed emotions like “Why did you do that?" My daughter threw the 2021 calendar into the trash can.   When we are forgiven God forgets those sins and they are gone.  Just like 2021 is gone and in the past.  We can not change what we did or didn’t do in 2021, but we can make plans to make changes in our lives in 2022. 

A New Years' resolution is being determined with God’s help to make life-changing goals that will change our lives for the better.  You can make a New Year's resolution yourself.   What kind of goals would you like to make for 2022?  If you do not know Christ Jesus as your Saviour today would be a perfect day to make that decision. 

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When we are God's child, He is perfecting us in Jesus.

He's always working on us.  He wants us to be more like him

in how we behave and the choices we make.  

Follow Here:

https://coloringhome.com/hidden-objects-coloring-pages

For the review game, find a free hidden picture coloring page.

Ask a review question.  When the question gets answered correctly the child gets

a turn finding a hidden picture.   They make one hundred points for each correct response.

Plus 50 extra points for finding a hidden picture.

If you have time you can use this picture again by placing points in random places.

Cover their eyes and have them put a sticker on the page without looking.

The points they are closest to are the points they earn.

Everyone gets a prize for participation.  

 Not only are they learning the bible but they are learning to participate.

A New Years Resolution 

Remember God's Mercy

The one thing that makes the New Year very special is that it encourages people to make choices that will better their lives.  It’s a day to say to yourself.  “I will go on, I will go forward, I will be better.”  

Do not allow circumstances to make us feel fearful.  God is real and God is in control.   With every New Year, there is a new beginning, a new renewed hope for the future.  A time to let God lead you into some important decisions.  How can I be a better person this new year?   Ask God what it is that you need to change?  

Maybe God wants us to be more obedient to those that God has put over us.  God does not want us to have a rebellious spirit.  We should repent of anything we are doing that God does not want us to do.  When we become willing to become what God wants us to be we become happier and more joyful. 

If there is anything in our hearts such as unforgiveness towards other people, then God will not forgive us.  God wants us to give that to him and show mercy as he has shown mercy.  We must be humble enough to say we are sorry.  If we are harboring bitterness in our hearts then God says he will not hear our prayers. We also must be humble enough to forgive as he has forgiven us.

We can make a promise to God to do better with our eating habits and exercising regularly.  Make a goal of eating less junk food.  

Maybe we need to be kinder to our brother or sister.  

Let’s make a commitment to follow God in God’s way and start our new year with a clean slate.

A New Year can bring new life to anyone who wants to make a commitment to God.  Maybe we have turned away from God, in some way, in some attitude.  God will gladly take your hand if you reach out to him.  He will not refuse us if we are truly repentant.  “His mercy endureth forever” is repeatedly said in the Psalms – mostly in Psalms 136 over and over and over.  It must be something we need to hear again and again.  God will not hold back his mercy if we turn back to him. The question is will you believe what he says?  His mercy sent Jesus for me and for you.  The Bible teaches us God’s motive.  His motive is because he loves us. 

Vain repetition is when there is no heart behind what you say or what you sing over and over again.  

Sometimes people need to hear things repeatedly before they sink into our hearts.  Remember Peter, God asked Peter three times “do you love me?”   I know one thing God loves you… do you love him?

If we love God we will do what he commands us to do.  Like reading our Bible's, confessing our sins in prayer, and living our lives in a way that pleases him.  

Some people ask how can God forgive me?   God is merciful and God's Word says it repeatedly. It also says "Give thanks unto the Lord, repeatedly.  3X at the beginning and also at the end of Psalms 136.  

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With God's Help Let Us

Be Bold, Not Cold;

Be True, Not Blue; (Discontented)

Be Clay God's Way;

Have Cheer Be Dear; 

Be Meek and Sweet;

Not Sneak or Peek;

Don't Steal, Be Real;

Be Right, Polite;

To Pray Each Day;

To Love And Live;

With Joy Forgive;

Believe, Receive;

And Show We Care;

With Godly Fear;

This Brand New Year.

Susan Y Nikitenko 2022©

I'm going to briefly talk about some of the verses from Psalm 136 as time allows.

Psalms 136:1- 26 and 138: 8

1. O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.

2. O give thanks unto the God of gods: for his mercy endureth for ever

 3. O give thanks to the Lord of lords: for his mercy endureth for ever.

 4. To him who alone doeth great wonders: for his mercy endureth for ever.

 5. To him that by wisdom made the heavens: for his mercy endureth for ever.

 6. To him that stretched out the earth above the waters: for his mercy endureth for ever.

7. To him that made great lights: for his mercy endureth for ever:

8. The sun to rule by day: for his mercy endureth for ever: 

9. The moon and stars to rule by night: for his mercy endureth for ever.

10. To him that smote Egypt in their firstborn: for his mercy endureth for ever:

11. And brought out Israel from among them: for his mercy endureth for ever:

12. With a strong hand, and with a stretched out arm: for his mercy endureth for ever.

13. To him which divided the Red sea into parts: for his mercy endureth for ever:

Ps 136:14 And made Israel to pass through the midst of it: for his mercy endureth for ever:

Ps 15. But overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red sea: for his mercy endureth for ever. 

 Ps 136:16 To him which led his people through the wilderness: for his mercy endureth for ever.

 Ps 136:17 To him which smote great kings: for his mercy endureth for ever:

 Ps 136:18 And slew famous kings: for his mercy endureth for ever:

 Ps 136:19 Sihon king of the Amorites: for his mercy endureth for ever:

 Ps 136:20 And Og the king of Bashan: for his mercy endureth for ever:

 Ps 136:21 And gave their land for an heritage: for his mercy endureth for ever:

 Ps 136:22 Even an heritage unto Israel his servant: for his mercy endureth for ever.

 Ps 136:23 ¶ Who remembered us in our low estate: for his mercy endureth for ever:

 Ps 136:24 And hath redeemed us from our enemies: for his mercy endureth for ever.

 Ps 136:25 Who giveth food to all flesh: for his mercy endureth for ever.

 Ps 136:26 O give thanks unto the God of heaven: for his mercy endureth for ever.

 Psalms 138:8 

The LORD will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O LORD, endureth for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands.

If we love God, He will not forsake the works of our hands.  He will not forget our labor of love. God will not abandon us as we ask his direction and also work to live out his purpose for our lives. 

We are not saved by what we do.  Though God wants us most definitely to do good works, we are called, to do good works.  We will do good works because we are saved and love God.  He will perfect us and lead us into his will when we are committed to following him.  Make Him the most important goal of your life and of this new year.

Let us remember his mercy towards us, let us repent and turn back to God.  Let us renew our confidence in God and believe he is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him.

Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Let's not forget to start this new year with God and continue to include God in everything every day and all year.  We do this by keeping our hearts where they need to be.

 Memory Verse:  

Psalms 138:8 a The LORD will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O LORD, endureth for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands.

Dear Father, I pray in the name of your dear Son, Jesus.  Be with each one here today and help them see you are the most important thing in their lives.  Help each one of us know what we need to change in our lives to be better people and healthier people for you.  Lead us in those decisions for the New Year.  If anyone here does not know you as Saviour and needs to be saved.  I pray you will speak to their hearts today and open their understanding.  Thank -you Lord for your goodness and mercy towards us.   Amen

Susan Y Nikitenko

New Year’s Devotional ©

January 2022

 Romans 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

Poetry And Other Materials On This Site Can Be Freely Used For Christian Bible Centered Non-Profit Ministries And must Remain Unchanged In Any Way. All Other Purposes Are With Permission Only. You May Make Requests At treasurebox18@yahoo.com - All my poems with stories are both real and fictional designed to illustrate a biblical truth. All Rights Reserved. Please Include the Site Name And Proper Credit Back To This Blog. Thank-You.

God Is Changing Us

God Is Changing Us

I recently bought a very beautifully arranged flower arrangement.  The placement of everything was  perfect.  There was however something about it that I did not like ... and I almost decided not to make the purchase.  I thought for a moment and decided I could change things about it and rearrange it a little.  

It was a Halloween flower arrangement and in it's center was a wicked witch.  Some people now a days may use the word wicked to say something's fantastic or awesome,  but the Bible teaches us that wickedness is  not good,  wickedness, represents darkness and sinfulness.   

I removed the wicked witch from the center of the arrangement and instead replaced it with a harvest theme center.  I have used the harvest theme to represent the fruit of the Spirit.  The fruit of the Spirit of Christ  which is what shines forth from us as born again Christians.

When a person becomes born again, God becomes the center of our everything we do.  Christ replaces the wickedness in our hearts with His Spirit and His Righteousness.  The bible teaches us that our own righteousness is as filthy rags to God.  Only what is done through Christ and in Christ will be accepted in God's site as righteous.  

We cannot be saved by our own good works, but we are saved by Christ alone.    We will have good works because we are saved and because of His presence within us.   Our good works will be accepted as righteous as long as are motives are in the Spirit.  

When we are without Christ the Bible teaches us that we are dead spiritually and that our foolish hearts are darkened, but when we accept Christ, our hearts are lit up by God's truth and understanding.  We become alive in Christ, Christ lives within us.

God hates wickedness and anything evil.  It is sin, sin separates us from God.  Sin grieves the Holy Spirit within a Christian.  God is rearranging our lives and hearts through his guidance and through His Word because He wants to use us for His glory and because He wants His best for you and me.  He teaches us that sins pleasure only last for a season but in the long run will bring us misery and unhappiness.  

God is changing us as His children, rearranging our lives to be a life pleasing to him, rearranging our thoughts, our motives, our priorities, our desires, everything about us.  Teaching us to make our choices through the pages of His Word and through prayer as He leads us in our hearts.

When you become a Christian we learn that it is important to resist sin and to summit to God.   Then that old tempter the devil will run from you.  When you resist sin,  God's presence becomes stronger in you.  

Here are some good verses to learn and meditate on as you prepare yourself for any temptations that come your way.

Something to Do:

James 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Matthew  5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Something To Pray:

Psalms  139:23-24

 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:

And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

Something To Know:

Galatians 5:16 

This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

 2 Corinthians 5:17 

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Invitation:

God's desire is for every person to hear the gospel and be saved.  Will you come to Him today. He died for your sins and rose from the dead,  He paid our sin debt  at Calvary, ...Come to Him with a true heart of repentance and He will not refuse you.  

Romans 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

Father God, If anyone listening to this lesson today desires forgiveness and salvation today, Help them understand your Word and open their spiritual eyes to your truth.  I pray you will save their soul for Christ sake .   In Jesus Name I Pray This - AMEN

Susan Y Nikitenko

September 23rd

 Lesson

Poetry And Other Materials On This Site Can Be Freely Used For Christian Bible Centered Non-Profit Ministries And must Remain Unchanged In Any Way. All Other Purposes Are With Permission Only. You May Make Requests At "treasurebox18@yahoo.com" All my poems with stories are both real and fictional designed to illustrate a biblical truth. All Rights Reserved. Please Include Site Name And Link To This Blog. Thank-You.

God Has A Purpose For You

This Is An Addition To This Lesson

This is a continuation of a lesson I wrote about a black purse I bought for .25 at a garage sale.  I have used this purse for so many things.  I have used this purse to carry my camera in.  I have used this purse to hold baby dolls I made to give children.   I have used this purse to carry my Bible and curriculum, for my Sunday School class, I have used this purse to carry my yarn in for "Grandma's Blankets".  I have used this purse to carry while travelling to hold my writing journals and books.  When I bought this purse, I thought I would probably never use it.  It smelt like smoke when I bought it...it doesn't smell like smoke anymore.  It smells like a new purse, a totally different purse.  It took time to clean it, it had to go through a lot of cleaning.  It has become the most useful purse that I have ... it doesn't just help me in one way, it helps me in many ways.  What I thought was useless has become the most useful, the most helpful. 

This purse is something I've been able to use as an object lesson..to tell others about what Jesus has done in my own life.  

God Has A Purpose For You

Today I have an object I brought to teach you how God sometimes works with us as His children.

God loves us very much and He has a purpose and a plan for our lives.

I recently bought a couple of purses from a garage sale.  I was reluctant to buy them because the lady selling it smoked. Smoke tends to get down into things and it's sometimes hard to get the smell out of things that have been in an atmosphere of smoking. If anything has been exposed to cigarette smoke for a very long time it is especially difficult to remove the smell.

The lady there told me she was going through dialysis and was selling things to make a little money.  I decided to go ahead and buy a couple of things even if they smelled like smoke.  Well, I bought the purses and brought them home knowing I might not be able to salvage the purses but, I decided to try.  One purse was good after two washes but, the other one needed more attention.   I put it in the washing machine after applying some cleansers.  I washed it down a few times then applied a bleach cleanser and let it soak in.  Then I rinsed it off with a wet paper towel.  It doesn't look any different than when I brought it home but, it doesn't smell like smoke anymore.   I may not use the purses for their original use but, I can use them because they are usable.  I would never have used them if they smelt like smoke.

God works that way sometimes with His children, not putting them in the washing machine like I did the purses, but with His special care and attention.  When we come to Christ, He takes us just as we are and He works with us as His dear children to clean us up, so to speak.  He sometimes does this through gentle persuasion or sometimes through difficulties.

On the acceptance of Christ and what He did at the cross for you, the bible tells us that Christ comes in our hearts to abide with us.  We become dear children of God.

The very first thing He will use to clean us up is with the water of the Word.   We need to learn the Word and meditate upon it and follow its teachings..  (It is our washing machine. )   God wants us under the preaching of the Word... God has always used a preacher to lead like a shepherd over his flock.  The Bible teaches us to respect him and to love Him.  He is there to protect us from danger and guide us in the things of God.  We should always listen to the scripture over a person teaching contrary to what the Word of God says,  There's a verse in the bible that says it like this... Let God be true and every man a liar.  (Meaning men or women.)  The bible has the final say so as to what is right and what is wrong.  

God also chastens his children, He corrects us sometimes just by showing us so much love it shames us, or sometimes through hardships to steer us in the right direction when we've become stubborn.   The Bible says, He chastens those He loves, and if He doesn't chasten us we are bastards and not sons.

God has a purpose for us and is molding our lives to get us ready for the purpose  He has for us.  That's why we should take the chastening of the Lord with patience, knowing He is cleaning us up and making us usable for righteousness sake.

 The only time a Christian can lose His or Her original purpose is when God says, "I may not be able to use you for your original purpose."  That most likely happens when somebody has made sinful choices that have changed their usability.  God wants to use a clean vessel, not a dirty one.  Just as I didn't want to use a purse that smells like smoke.  I may not be able to use these purses for their original use but, I can still use them for something else.  Sometimes God gives us a new purpose.

God's desire for us is to come to Him just as we are, confessing that we are sinners in need of His help, his love, his care, his salvation through Christ.  He will mold your life into something that can be used by him.  Dedicate and surrender to Christ, make Him the passion of your heart and life.

Susan Y Nikitenko

Object Lesson

September 20th, 2015

Just want to let you know I have a very bad cold today, but I was able to think about a couple of object lessons while laying in bed.

Romans 3:23

For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

Romans  5:8

But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Matthew 11:28

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Romans 10:9

That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

Romans 10:14

How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?

 Hebrews 12:8 

But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.

Poetry And Other Materials On This Site Can Be Freely Used For Christian Bible Centered Non-Profit Ministries And must Remain Unchanged In Any Way. All Other Purposes Are With Permission Only. You May Make Requests At "treasurebox18@yahoo.com" All my poems with stories are both real and fictional designed to illustrate a biblical truth. All Rights Reserved. Please Include Site Name And Link To This Blog. Thank-You.

A Pumpkin With A Purpose - Updated November 18th, 2012 - Restored August 22nd, 2014

  Tell This Story With Your Own Personality

A Pumpkin With A Purpose

Susan Y Nikitenko

October 10th, 2012
tween to teen or adult

The farmer's children went out to the field to find just the right pumpkin for carving.  They found one slightly too big to carry so they rolled it, pushed it, banged it a couple times and even got stuck into a hole once.  They managed to free the pumpkin from the hole and continued on their mission.  The eldest went to get their riding mower with its cart, which was in the barn.  He then returned to give their pumpkin a ride the rest of the way home.  On the way the mower  hit a bump and the pumpkin rolled off the cart and down the hill.  The three children all ran down the hill to roll it back up the hill and they loaded it back onto the cart.  Then finally they made it to the front door of their home and brought it inside to prepare the pumpkin for carving.  They went into the house  laughing and out of breath.  They were filled with excitement as they told their mother what a great time they had getting the pumpkin to the house.

This pumpkin had a very important purpose.  They washed the pumpkin and gathered the tools they needed to carve it.  They cut the bottom off  and dug out all the yucky stuff on the inside.  Then they  carefully stenciled the pattern on the face of the pumpkin.  They cut the shapes out very carefully.  Then they placed an electric candle into the bottom.  They turned the lights off to look at their work.  This was to be a very special pumpkin and it was.  Three lovely flowers and the words JESUS LOVES YOU!  shined beautifully.   It would be a light for Jesus during the Fall season.  What a blessing.

In the pumpkin patch of life we need to learn endurance.  The pumpkin had to endure some hardship to get where it needed to be.  Sometimes God allows us to go through some difficult times in order to teach us to be long suffering.  Life is not always easy, but if you are God's child.  He has a purpose for you.   If God knows every sparrow that falls to the ground.  Then He certainly is involved in the details of your life. 

One of the verses  in God's Word that has always kept me trusting God is Romans 8:28.  God has a purpose and if we believe we will endure in this hope.  God has a greater purpose.  Each one of us have a purpose.  God is getting us to where we need to be.  God is stenciling out His plan.  He's taking out all the ugly stuff and He's filling us up full of His light.  .  He is using the tools necessary to fulfill His purpose for us.  Then He sets us out into a dark world to shine for Him.

He loves you so much and He wants you to be His child.  He wants to be your Father in heaven.  He has a purpose for you.  You can find that purpose by trusting Christ for salvation.   ( Invitation to salvation).

For the telling of this story object lesson: Prepare a pumpkin with three flowers and the words " Jesus Love You" on the front of a pumpkin with a light. You will show only the back during the beginning of the story and turn it around at the appropriate time for the class - or when you say - He sets us out into a dark world to shine for Him.

Invitation:

As you can see there are three flowers on our pumpkin,  each one stands for something very special.   This first flower represents grace.  God through His grace has provided a way for salvation.  We could never live good enough to make it to heaven on our own good works.  The bible teaches that if we have broken even one of the commandments we are guilty of all.  The bible also teaches us that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

The second flower represents faith.  Faith is belief in action.  God loved us and had mercy on us.  He sent us a Savior even though we did not deserve one.  Jesus paid our sin debt.  Because the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal  life through Christ alone.  (Not of works lest any man should boast).

The third flower represents confessing.  When we understand that we are sinners and see our need for salvation.  We would be willing to admit we are sinful and have a desire to become a child of God.   God's desire is that we become part of His family.  The family of God.  He wants to be your father and you His child.  If we confess our sins He's faithful and just to forgive us our sin and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness .  Jesus died for you personally.  He paid your sin debt.  In victory He arose from the dead, Just as you will be made alive in your heart.  Living your life to please our Father and no longer live to please yourself. 

In humility He wants you to pray, prayer does not save you, but it is evidence of a life humbled before God with a real desire and a real belief in what God has provided for you.  Accepting Christ through Faith and taking Him at His Word. You are forgiven.  There is now no more condemnation - (no more guilt or shame) you are justified - and declared innocent in His sight.
Your debt was paid through Christ Jesus our Lord.  

This Is His Gift To You.  

Verses:

Romans 6:6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.

 Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

 Ephesians  2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

Ephesians  2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Romans  3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

1John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Romans  3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

Ro mans 8:1 ¶ There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Romans 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

James 2:10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.

Poetry And Other Materials On This Site Can Be Freely Used For Christian Bible Centered Non-Profit Ministries And must Remain Unchanged In Any Way. All Other Purposes Are With Permission Only. You May Make Requests At "treasurebox18@yahoo.com" All my poems with stories are both real and fictional designed to illustrate a biblical truth. All Rights Reserved. Please Include Site Name And Link To This Blog. Thank-You.